Three makes 0800 numbers free to customers

Three is making 0800 numbers free to customers who sign up to its new monthly plans.

From today customers who sign up to Three’s new plans will be able to call 0800, 0808 and 0500 numbers for free, while all other 08 numbers, such as 084 and 087, will cost 5p per minute, rather than the typical charges of between 14p to 40p.

Three’s existing customers can also benefit from the cuts by swapping over from their existing plan without paying a fee or altering their existing contract end date.

Under the new plans, customers will also be able to set limits to stop them going over their minutes allowance and limit spending on expensive numbers.

They will also receive text alerts to help them understand when they are close to using up their voice and data allowances.

Dave Dyson (pictured), CEO at Three, said: ‘We asked people what frustrated them most about their mobile bills and confusion around the cost of calling 08 numbers came out top by a big margin. These charges are often buried in the small print and they’re expensive enough to make most customers fear calling them from their mobiles.

‘We want UK mobile users to get the most enjoyment from their smartphones or data device – the cost of calling 08 numbers is something we want to address for our customers.’

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uswitch.com said: ‘Three’s new price plans are most welcome, and should help keep monthly bills down.’

He added: ‘If a number is 'free,' then it should be free wherever you call from. By enabling consumers to set self-imposed limits on calling these costly numbers, Three is giving mobile users greater – and much-needed – protection from higher than expected bills.

‘British mobile users do still face a long wait for Ofcom to scrap charges for 0800 numbers altogether - this is not expected to happen until June 2015.'

However Doku warned that the new tariffs do have a downside, as ‘they also spell the end of the generous allowances previously offered by the One Plan, as the ‘personal hotspot’ tethering allowance has now been capped at just 2GB.’